Sport

Emma Jordan has returned home after her father's death to run the animal sanctuary that had been his legacy. But strange things start happening, and it seems that someone is out to shut her down, someone who doesn't mind putting lives in jeopardy to see it through. When Hidden Falls' sexiest fireman starts to ask questions, Emma needs to make sure his charm doesn't distract her from keeping her dreams alive. Ben McQuaid has an obligation as a local fireman to protect the community, even from a well-meaning wildlife veterinarian who's in way over her head. But, it's becoming hard to keep his loyalty to the town and his desire for the pretty vet separate. As Ben and Emma become caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, their feelings for each other are growing. Will they let duty drive them apart or will they dare to fall?

A Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Winner of the Kirkus Prize for Fiction . A Recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize for Fiction . A Finalist for the James Tait Black Prize for Fiction . A Finalist for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction . A Finalist for the Rathbones Folio Prize . Longlisted for an Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence . One of New York Times Book Review 100 Notable BookNamed a Best Book of the Year by Entertainment Weekly . GQ . The New York Times (Selected by Dwight Garner) . NPR . The Wall Street Journal . San Francisco Chronicle . Refinery29 . Booklist . Kirkus Reviews . Commonweal Magazine"In its poetic splendor and moral seriousness, The Sport of Kings bears the traces of Faulkner, Morrison, and McCarthy. . . . It is a contemporary masterpiece."-San Francisco Chronicle Hailed by The New Yorker for its "remarkable achievements," The Sport of Kings is an American tale centered on a horse and two families: one white, a Southern dynasty whose forefathers were among the founders of Kentucky; the other African-American, the descendants of their slaves.It is a dauntless narrative that stretches from the fields of the Virginia piedmont to the abundant pastures of the Bluegrass, and across the dark waters of the Ohio River; from the final shots of the Revolutionary War to the resounding clang of the starting bell at Churchill Downs. As C. E. Morgan unspools a fabric of shared histories, past and present converge in a Thoroughbred named Hellsmouth, heir to Secretariat and a contender for the Triple Crown. Newly confronted with one another in the quest for victory, the two families must face the consequences of their ambitions, as each is driven---and haunted---by the same, enduring question: How far away from your father can you run?A sweeping narrative of wealth and poverty, racism and rage, The Sport of Kings is an unflinching portrait of lives cast in the shadow of slavery and a moral epic for our time.

Heartthrob star quarterback Tyson Palmer has it all: a million-dollar arm, a winning season, and the promise of a Super Bowl ring. But more importantly, football’s biggest star is the ultimate comeback kid. After an addiction to painkillers nearly derailed his career, Tyson got sober and went from zero to hero in the eyes of the public. But one person remains unconvinced: Dani Carr, a sports commentator with high ratings and a following of her own. Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget a single passionate night with him back in college. To make things worse, Tyson doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute co-ed whose heart he once broke.But can a sports journalist trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other?And can Tyson use his million-dollar moves to get past Dani’s defenses—or will she sideline him for good . . . ?

A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn't the only thing that needs healing in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde.With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel's guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.Praise for Lori Wilde's Stardust, Texas Series and Love Of The Game?Amusing, passionate, and rampant with sexual tension, this magic dusted escapade is just plain fun and a wonderful harbinger of things to come. Wilde is an expert at developing endearing Texas communities and here gives fans another one to savor.??Library Journal?[A] sweet and sexy story of first love, small towns, and family.??Booklist?Wilde brings readers to Stardust, Texas, where baseball and romance are the name of the game . . . Wilde has another winner.??RT Book Reviews

Every dream comes with a price . . .Dallas.Sacrifice. I'm familiar with it.I've had to leave behind everyone I cared about?my sister, my best friend, my band, and my high school sweetheart?in order to chase my dream of making it in Nashville.But when Robyn Breeland walks back into my life, it's as if the universe has decided to give me a second chance. I'm just not sure it's one I'm willing to take.Robyn.Heartbreak. I practically majored in it.Dallas Lark was the first boy I ever loved and the one who'd shattered my heart into pieces. But I've moved on. Working in promotions at Midnight Bay Bourbon, I'm too busy to sit around moping over my ex. But when my company decides to sponsor his tour, I'll have to face him whether I'm ready to or not. Dallas is determined to drive me to distraction, and my body begs me to let him.Trouble is, my heart can't tell the difference between a second chance and making the same mistake twice.

Ride Around Shining is the story of an aimless white guy who lies his way into the world of black basketball players, bathing in their reflected glory until his adoration turns to envy and destruction. Despite a history of accidents, Jess lands a job as a chauffeur for an up-and-coming Trail Blazer named Calyph West and his young wife, Antonia. Calyph is black and Antonia is white and Jess becomes fascinated, innocuously at first, by all they are that he is not. But in striving to make himself indispensable to them, he causes Calyph to have a season-ending knee injury, then brings about the couple's estrangement, before positioning himself at last as their perverse savior.In the tradition of The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Great Gatsby, and Harold Pinter's The Servant?not to mention a certain Shakespeare play about a creepy white dude obsessed with a black dude?Ride Around Shining tries to say the unsayable about white fixation on black culture, particularly black athletic culture, something so common in everyday life it has gone all but unaddressed.

From PEN/Hemingway award winner Brigid Pasulka, the “charming…refreshing tale” (The New York Times Book Review) of a widowed butcher and his son whose losses are transformed into love in a small town on the Italian Riviera.In the seaside village of San Benedetto, twenty-two-year-old Etto finds himself adrift. Within the past year, Etto has not only lost both his twin brother and his mother, but in his grief has become estranged from his father, the local butcher. While his father passes the time with the men of the town in the fine tradition of Italian men everywhere—a reverential obsession with soccer—Etto retreats ever further from his day-to-day life, seeking solace in the hills above the town. But then a Ukrainian soccer star, the great Yuri Fil, sweeps into San Benedetto, taking refuge himself from an international scandal. Soon Yuri and his captivating sister Zhuki invite Etto into their world of sport, celebrity, loyalty, and humor. Under their influence, Etto begins to reconstruct his relationship with his father and, slowly, open himself back up to the world. Who knows: perhaps the game of soccer isn’t just a waste of time, and perhaps San Benedetto, his father, love, and life itself might have more to offer him than he ever believed possible. “Full of light and surprising grace, [The Sun and Other Stars] is both a poetic coming-of-age story and a poignant examination of the nature of family and belonging” (The Boston Globe). It is a gorgeous, celebratory novel about families, compromise, and community, a big-hearted masterpiece that showcases a writer at the joyful height of her talents.

All's fair in Love and Football . . .Emily Hamilton doesn't trust men. She's much more comfortable playing the romantic lead in front of a packed house onstage than in her own life. So when NFL star and alluring ladies' man Brandon McKenna acts as her personal white knight, she has no illusions that he'll stick around. However, a misunderstanding with the press throws them together in a fake engagement that yields unexpected (and breathtaking) benefits.Every time Brandon calls her "Sugar," Emily almost believes he's playing for keeps?not just to score. Can she let down her defenses and get her own happily ever after?

Love may be just a game, but the baseball players in Jennifer Seasons' sexy diamonds and dugouts series? they're playing for keeps!Mark Cutter has it all: a lucrative baseball career, fast cars, and faster women?and all thanks to his priceless good luck charm. At least, that's what he thinks before Lorelei Littleton shows up. Next thing he knows, he's waking up alone, the sexy brunette has vanished, and his good luck charm is gone. More than a little curious about the wicked-hot cat burglar and determined to get his property back, Mark's going to track down the thief and make her pay?big time.Maybe Lorelei feels a tiny bit guilty for stealing Mark's good luck charm, but when it's worth $100,000 and the money could save her niece's life? She's not losing sleep over it . . . but him? Lorelei can't get the ballplayer with the bad attitude out of her head. And now he's come after her with more than just revenge in his eyes. Lorelei has a choice: turn over the charm and lose the money, or keep it and risk losing everything . . . including her heart.

The scorching finale to the internationally bestselling series bound to thrill fans of Fifty Shades of GreyEmerging from sexual captivity, psychologist Alexandra Blake is feeling a sense of empowerment?along with a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. She holds the key to the cutting-edge aphrodisiac drugs so desperately sought by both her abductors and her lover, Dr. Jeremy Quinn. But in order to unlock the secrets within her, she must now embark upon a quest to explore ancient erotic rituals. After all she's been through, Alexandra thought she'd experienced pleasure at its most extreme. She was wrong.In the stunning conclusion of the Avalon trilogy, Alexandra will reconcile her past and her future, discovering the true purpose behind the role she was always destined to play.

My only purpose in this book was for me, as a sports lover to have a discussion and reach out to as many youngsters, parents& coaches responsible for the development of an athlete to inspire and be inspired to think about it as a Full Time career & look beyond academics. I simply want to bring out the ways that each of us (although on vastly different levels) is dedicated to sports. Having had the chance and exposure to Sports since a very early age, understanding its benefits in it's entirety & having seen various youngsters not having the same, saddens me & hence this attempt to open as many minds as possible.

Julie Brannagh's sparkling and romantic Love and Football series continues!For Amy Hamilton, only three Fs matter: Family, Football, and Flowers. It might be nice to find someone to share Forever with, too, but right now she's working double overtime while she gets her flower shop off the ground. The last thing she needs or wants is a distraction ... or help, for that matter. Especially in the form of gorgeous and aggravatingly arrogant ex-NFL star Matt Stephens.Matt lives by a playbook?his playbook. He never thought his toughest opponent would come in the form of a stunning florist with a stubborn streak to match his own. Since meeting her in the bar after her sister's wedding, he's known there's something between them. After she refuses?again and again?to go out with him, Matt will do anything to win her heart ... But will Amy, who has everything to lose, let the clock run out on the one-yard line?

Practice Makes Perfect Patrick ?Patch? Donnelly has what it takes to be the best goalie in the NHL...if only he could learn to control his temper. When Coach orders him to get his head in the game with private yoga classes, Patch isn't having it. There's no way this tough Boston guy would be caught dead downward dog-ing his way to inner peace. But if he refuses, he risks his starting position and the dream he sacrificed everything for, including joining the priesthood. Yoga instructor Margot Kowalski is over men. After yet another toxic relationship, she's eager to forget love and focus on growing her business. Doing the Hellions head coach a favor by helping out a troubled player can't hurt, and it might give her career a high-profile boost. But free-spirited Margot is soon charming the pants off Patch. Literally. Her sassy combination of sweet and sexy proves irresistible to the goalie. Before Patch can give into temptation though, he'll have to confess his biggest secret: He's a virgin. But Patch is hiding more than sexual inexperience, and his dark past soon threatens to destroy his shot at true love.

Grab the first two books of the Council Series in this set. Damaged Dreams and Shattered Secrets are included along with bonus material for both in this volume.What price would you pay for the truth?Sawyer's whole life changed the night someone came for her. Going on the run, she hid her identity for five years until she finally arrived at the one place she hoped to get answers, The Aldridge School. Home to America's Olympic hopefuls, it was a school bent on academic brilliance and winter sport excellence.Hired to train Jr. Level figure skating, Sawyer wasn't expecting to meet people she could trust and connect with as she searched for answers to who killed her parents. She thought she was prepared to learn the truth, but as mysteries are revealed, it was apparent she had no idea the true reach The Council had in the world.Could she trust the new people in her life to help her uncover the mystery and lies of her past? Or will her dreams be damaged again before they are even started? Everything you love about winter sports with a nail-biting mystery weaved throughout. Grab this Contemporary Sports Reverse Harem today!

He's a defenseman on the academy's hockey team - a well-known player on and off the ice.It's a reputation he wears proudly...flaunts, even. The only one he has to look out for is himself. No one expects anything else.Thanks to past mistakes, I have a whole lot of responsibilities outside of the academy, and have no choice but to put others in my life first. They count on me, but you know what? I'm lonely.I guess that's why I got all tangled up in the guy whose only focus is on hockey - and fun.What I hadn't meant to do, however, was fall head over heels for the player who only wanted one thing from me. Can you say been there done that?But I think, underneath it all, there's a lot more to him than even he knows and maybe his choices aren't his own. Maybe someone else is pulling the strings.Either way, when past mistakes catch up with me again, the team's biggest player must decide whether to follow the path carved out for him and walk away from me, or shape his own future, and become the man he keeps well hidden.